Gould and Wells successfully defend cross-country national titles
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Former Ketchum resident Georgia Gould collected her third cross-country national title on Saturday.
By virtue of winning national titles today, the pair earned an automatic nomination to the team that will represent the United States at the Union Cycliste International World Championships in Champéry, Switzerland, from Aug. 31-Sept. 4.
Zions Bank Pro Women’s Cross-Country race
Gould quickly jumped out to the early lead with Katie Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Rabobank-Giant) hanging on her wheel in the early going. The 2008 Olympian Gould was able to slowly build her lead throughout the five-lap affair to earn her third overall and second consecutive pro women’s cross-country national title.
“I was in the front and I just tried to be as conservative as I could be when you're going all out at the top of that climb,” said Gould. “I wanted to save a little bit in case somebody caught up and attacked.”
“I knew she (Lea Davison) was not that far behind. It was really everybody individually against the hill.”
As Gould soloed to victory, Compton and Lea Davison (Jericho, Vt./Specialized Factory Racing) battled for the silver. Davison surged late in the 29-kilometer event and was able to catch Compton, who suffered a flat, on the penultimate lap. The pair was able to close some ground on the leader as Gould battled cramps on the final lap. Davison had to settle for silver however, despite closing the gap to finish only 23 seconds behind Gould. On the comeback trail following a hip injury in 2010, the 28 year-old Davison recorded her best-ever finish, nearly a minute ahead of the seven-time cyclo-cross national champion Compton who earned the bronze on a tough climbing course.
"I was feeling better on the second-to-last lap,” explained Davison. “I passed Katie (Compton), then she kinda got me at the beginning of the last lap, but I absolutely throttled myself on that last climb. I was really motivated and I was closing on Georgia (Gould), but I ran out of ground. I'm still really, really happy."
The 2009 national champion Heather Irmiger (Boulder, Colo./Subaru-Trek) finished fourth, nearly four minutes behind the winner, after battling mechanical issues. Kelli Emmett (Colorado Springs, Colo./Giant Bicycles) who led a big chase group throughout the race grabbed the final podium spot just ahead of Judy Freeman (Boulder, Colo./Kenda-Felt) in sixth.
Zions Bank Pro Men’s Cross-Country
Todd Wells crosses the line victorious.
“To win it the first time, last year, was a huge weight off my shoulders,” said Wells, the top-ranked American internationally. “This year, I've been riding strong in all of the previous races, but this course is a lot different than most of the races I train. I'm a bigger guy, so to be able to win here is really satisfying. On a steep climb like this, at high altitude, you can't really attack. Everyone just rides at their own pace. My pace just happened to be a few seconds faster than Sam's (Schultz) each lap which was enough to allow me to get away.”
Schultz came around for the first of six laps in the lead, but Wells wasn’t far off his heels and was able to overtake the former U23 national champion on lap two. Wells was able to grow his lead to just under a minute before Schultz came surging back to finish only around 20 seconds down to record his best-ever pro national championships finish.
“I would have loved to have won, but I was psyched to make it a race,” said Schultz. “I felt good right from the start and thought I might as well run with it. I tried to hang with him (Wells) but he was climbing pretty hard.”
The 2007 and 2008 national champ Adam Craig (Bend, Ore./Rabobank-Giant) moved into third on the second lap and rode comfortably to the bronze. Ultra-endurance specialist and former marathon mountain bike national champion Jeremiah Bishop (Harrisonburg, Va./Cannondale Factory Racing) prevailed in a shoot-out with 2009 cross country national champion Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Boulder, Colo./Subaru-Trek) to round out the podium. Twenty-three-year-old Tad Elliot (Durango, Colo./Durango Devo) also had a strong ride finishing just ahead of Spencer Paxson (Seattle, Wash./Kona) for sixth and seventh, respectively.
SINGLE SPEED
Hometown heroine, Rebecca Rusch (Ketchum, Idaho/Specialized), competing for the first time in a single speed race, won by over nine minutes, traversing the 22.25-kilometer course in 1:31:43.
"Hearing my name and seeing all of my friends and my training partners," a jubilant Rusch said after her win. "It's the best week of my life living here, having nationals here. It's awesome."
In the men's single-speed race, Cary Smith (Jackson, Wyo.) earned the gold medal with a time of 1:21:36, slightly more than two minutes faster than silver medalist Cameron Brenneman (Santa Fe, N.M.).
CATEGORY 1 AGE GROUPS MEN 19-70+
Brennan Wodtli (Bend, Ore.) completed the men's 19-24 course in 1:18:11 to win the Stars-and-Stripes jersey.
Brendan Shafer (Durango, Colo./Durango Devo) was nearly one minute faster than Miguel Ramos (Durango, Colo.) to win the men's 25-29 contest.
Ty Kady (Brea, Calif.) traveled 22.25 kilometers in 1:19:21 to win the men's 30-34 by only 38 seconds over Marco Arocha (Newbury, Calif./Team Velosport Club).
In the men's 35-39 race, Kyle Dixon (Reno, Nev.) was three minutes faster than Scott Leland (Reno, Nev.).
Dario Fredrick (San Anselmo, Calif./Whole Athlete-Specialized) was just 17 seconds faster than Mark Legg Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo.) to win the men's 40-44 race.
Donald Myrah (San Jose, Calif.) was two minutes faster than the runner-up Michael Hogan (Louisville, Colo./Justin's-Titus Mountain Bike) in the men's 45-49 race.
Russell Kappius (Littleton, Colo.) won the men's 50-54 contest by almost three minutes, posting a time of 1:26:00.
Gary Thacker (Boulder, Colo./Justin's-Titus Mountain Bikes) traversed 22.25 kilometers in 1:31:48, almost two minutes faster than Dean Swank (Crestline, Calif.), who finished second, in the men’s 55-59 contest.
Don Leet (Bend, Ore./Ben Endurace Academy) posted the best time among the men's 60-64 racers at 49:54, 90 seconds faster than silver medalist Glen Norton (Renton, Wash.).
James Wagner (Auburn, Wash./Cycle Therapy-4 Corners Cycling) topped the men's 65-69 podium.
In the men's 70+ race, 69-year-old Andy Andrews (Hailey, Idaho) completed the 12.5-kilometer course four seconds faster than 71-year-old Hans Muehlegger (Sun Valley, Idaho).
CATEGORY 1 AGE GROUPS WOMEN 19-60+
Katie Sodergren (Brekenridge, Colo.) traveled the 22.25 kilometers in an impressive 1:39:55, almost 11 minutes better than the runner-up Lindsy Campbell (Missoula, Mont./Northern Rockies Cycling Team) to win the women’s 19-24 competition.
In the women's 25-29 race, Rose Grant (Kalispell, Mont./Sportsman & Ski Haus) took the top spot of the podium with a time of 1:35:17, nearly seven minutes better than the silver medalist Jena Greaser (Newton, Mass./Noreast Cycling).
Jamie Busch (Los Gatos, Calif.) earned the gold medal after winning the women's 30-34 race by nearly six minutes over Serena Bishop (Bend, Ore.).
Another hometown cyclist won in front of her fans as Brooke Hovey (Ketchum, Idaho/Mud Honey Cycling) traveled 22.25 kilometers in 1:34:22 to win the Stars-and-Stripes jersey in the women's 35-39.
Helene Drumm (San Anselmo, Calif.) won the women's 40-44 contest by just over 90 seconds over Christine Irelan (Colorado Springs, Colo.).
Julia Violich (San Anselmo, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12) topped the women’s 45-49 podium after completing the 22.25-kilometer challenge in 1:35:21.
Anne Gonzales (Aspen, Colo.) emerged victorious in the women's 50-54 race, finishing in 1:38:34, 12 minutes faster than the next finisher in her age group.
Lesley Jensen (Benicia, Calif./One Team Racing) was the first woman to complete the course among the riders, winning the women's category 1 55-59 with a time of 57:58.
Former road age-group world champion, 62-year-old Martha Iverson (Durango, Colo./Durango Wheel Club) won the women's 60+ race, completing the 12.5-kilometer course in 1:12:47.
National championship mountain bike racing continues Sunday with the BNSF super D races beginning at 8 a.m. and the exciting short track cross-country national championships starting at 11:30 a.m.
Visit the official event webpage of the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross-Country National Championships for more information on the event, including complete schedule, results, photo gallery and more.
Ride Sun Valley Day 3 from Team i4 on Vimeo.
USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships
Sun Valley Resort, Ketchum, Idaho
July 14-17, 2011
Pro Men
1. Todd Wells (Durango, Colo./Specialized) 1:44:38
2. Sam Schultz (Missoula, Mont./Subaru-Trek) 1:45:27
3. Adam Craig (Bend, Ore./Rabobank-Giant) 1:47:06
4. Jeremiah Bishop (Harrisonburg, Va./Cannondale Factory Racing) 1:48:43
5. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Boulder, Colo./Subaru-Trek) 1:49:03
Pro Women
1. Georgia Gould (Fort Collins, Colo./Luna Pro Team) 1:40:14
2. Lea Davison (Jericho, Vt./Specialized Factory Racing) 1:40:37
3. Katie Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo./RaboBank-Giant Off Road Team) 1:41:28
4. Heather Irmiger (Boulder, Colo./Subaru-Trek) 1:45:30
5. Kelli Emmett (Colorado Springs, Colo./Giant Bicycles) 1:46:37
Men’s Single Speed
1. Cary Smith (Jackson, Wyo.) 1:21:36
2. Cameron Brenneman (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1:23:53
3. Cody Peterson (Bend, Ore.) 1:25:13
4. Christopher McGovern (Durango, Colo.) 1:25:26
5. Chad Cheeney (Durango, Colo./Durango Devo) 1:26:31
Women’s Single Speed
1. Rebecca Rusch (Ketchum, Idaho/Specialized) 1:31:43
2. Jennifer Wilson (El Paso, Texas) 1:41:15
3. Sara Tescher (Durango, Colo.) 1:44:20
4. Melissa Liebling (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1:48:23
5. Lisa Curry (Bozeman, Mont./Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club) 1:49:16
Category 1 Men 19-24
1. Brennan Wodtli (Bend, Ore.) 1:18:11
2. Greg Krieger (Cedarburg, Wisc./Team Extreme) 1:22:49
3. Sean Jones (Billings, Mont./Montana Cycling and Ski) 1:23:13
4. Chris Jackson (San Luis Obispo, Calif./California Polytechnic-San Luis Obispo) 1:24:15
5. Garet Steinmetz (Warrenburg, Mo./Ethos Racing) 1:24:17
Category 1 Women 19-24
1. Katie Sodergren (Breckenridge, Colo.) 1:39:55
2. Lindsy Campbell (Missoula, Mont./Northern Rockies Cycling Team) 1:50:35
3. Lauren Gregg (Big Bear Lake, Calif.) 1:53:49
4. Katelyn Isaacson (McKinleyville, Calif.) 1:57:34
Category 1 Men 25-29
1. Brendan Shafer (Durango, Colo./Durango Devo) 1:19:46
2. Miguel Ramos (Durango, Colo.) 1:20:44
3. Jafer Beizer (Conyers, Ga./TBB Sports) 1:20:47
4. Adam Leiferman (Casper, Wyo.) 1:21:00
5. Tyler Gauthier (Ishpeming, Mich./Range Mountain Bike Association) 1:21:36
Category 1 Women 25-29
1. Rose Grant (Kalispell, Mont./Sportsman & Ski Haus) 1:35:17
2. Jena Greaser (Newton, Mass./Noreast Cycling) 1:42:07
3. Sara Schroeder (Hailey, Idaho/Mud Honey) 1:43:17
4. Mary Foss (Ogden, Utah) 1:47:10
5. Jamie Terry (Missoula, Mont.) 1:57:52
Category 1 Men 30-34
1. Ty Kady (Brea, Calif.) 1:19:21
2. Marco Arocha (Newbury Park, Calif./Team Velosport Club) 1:19:59
3. Josh Whitney (Boulder, Colo./Rockymounts-Izze Racing) 1:22:12
4. Douglas Schuler (Boulder, Colo./Boulder Cycle Sport) 1:23:15
5. Scott Morris (Tucson, Ariz.) 1:23:34
Category 1 Women 30-34
1. Jamie Busch (Los Gatos, Calif.) 1:39:17
2. Serena Bishop (Bend, Ore.) 1:45:14
3. Rebekah Rottenberg (Davis, Calif./Davis Bike Club) 1:46:24
4. Becky Sears (Gunnison, Colo.) 1:46:29
5. Megan Chinburg (Portland, Ore./Veloforma) 1:47:31
Category 1 Men 35-39
1. Kyle Dixon (Reno, Nev.) 1:20:10
2. Scott Leland (Reno, Nev.) 1:23:14
3. Justin Mann (Murrieta, Calif./Rock N’ Road Cyclery) 1:24:02
4. Jerry Long (Moscow, Idaho/Coeur d’Alene Velo Racers) 1:24:49
5. Troy Olson (Driggs, Idaho) 1:25:09
Category 1 Women 35-39
1. Brooke Hovey (Ketchum, Idaho/Mud Honey) 1:34:22
2. Tara Walhart (San Francisco, Calif.) 1:39:06
3. Hollie McGovern (Nevada City, Calif./Calnorte VC Switchbacks) 1:46:06
4. Melanie Long (Boulder, Colo.) 1:46:51
5. Abbie Durkee (Des Moines, Iowa/Whole Athlete-Specialized) 1:51:27
Category 1 Men 40-44
1. Mario Fredrick (San Anselmo, Calif./Whole Athlete-Specialized) 1:19:57
2. Mark Legg Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo.) 1:20:14
3. Kenny When (Durango, Colo./No Tubes Race Team) 1:22:19
4. Stanislaus Bankston (Nevada City, Calif./Bicycle Emporium) 1:22:56
5. Kevin Donovan (Boise, Idaho/Team Ascent Idaho) 1:25:03
Category 1 Women 40-44
1. Helene Drumm (San Anselmo, Calif.) 1:37:23
2. Christine Irelan (Colorado Springs, Colo.) 1:39:01
3. Jill Hardiman (White Salmon, Wash.) 1:43:56
4. Heidi Volpe (Topanga, Calif.) 1:45:36
5. Brenna Lopez-Otero (Bend, Ore./Bend Memorial Clinic Total Care) 1:45:54
Category 1 Men 45-49
1. Donald Myrah (San Jose, Calif.) 1:23:02
2. Michael Hogan (Louisville, Colo./Justin’s-Titus Mountain Bike) 1:25:04
3. Frank Gonzalez (Helena, Mont./Montana Velo) 1:26:04
4. Brian Taylor (Boise, Idaho/Team Ascent Velo) 1:26:28
5. Mark Roebke (Avon, Colo.) 1:26:45
Category 1 Women 45-49
1. Julia Violich (San Anselmo, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12) 1:35:21
2. Karen Hogan (Louisville, Colo./Justin’s-Titus Mountain Bike) 1:41:34
3. Coreen Wright (Evergreen, Colo.) 1:45:35
4. Michelle Richardson (Helena, Mont./Montana Velo) 1:55:28
5. Elaine Bothe (Portland, Ore.) 2:01:26
Category 1 Men 50-54
1. Russell Kappius (Littleton, Colo) 1:26:00
2. Wade Wilderman (Fraser, Colo.) 1:28:46
3. Johnny O’Mara (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) 1:28:52
4. Terry Duran (Birmingham, Ala./Birmingham Velo) 1:30:34
5. Scott Seaton (Bend, Ore.) 1:30:49
Category 1 Women 50-54
1. Anne Gonzales (Aspen, Colo.) 1:38:34
2. Laura Howat (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1:50:36
3. Ursula Sandefur (Auburn, Ala.) 1:52:18
4. Ellen Guthrie (Salt Lake City, Utah/Revolution Café Rio) 1:52:42
5. Lori Smith (Boise, Idaho/Wild Rockies Inc.) 1:54:41
Category 1 Men 55-59
1. Gary Thacker (Boulder, Colo./Justin’s-Titus Mountain Bike) 1:31:48
2. Dean Swank (Crestline, Calif.) 1:33:37
3. Russell Asleson (Colorado Springs, Colo.) 1:36:02
4. Randy Beckner (Helena, Mont./Montana Velo) 1:37:02
5. Michael Longmire (Missoula, Mont./Northern Rockies Cycling Team) 1:38:06
Category 1 Women 55-59
1. Lesley Jensen (Benicia, Calif./One Team Racing) 57:58
2. Karla Segale (Winthrop, Wash./Methow Valley Cycling) 1:04:50
3. Victoria Wiseman (Ketchum, Idaho/Mud Honey) 1:11:54
4. Marti Merritt (Ruckersville, Va.) 1:25:23
5. Melissa Boyd (Corvallis, Ore.) 1:26:10
Category 1 Men 60-64
1. Don Leet (Bend, Ore./Bend Endurance Academy) 49:54
2. Glen Norton (Renton, Wash.) 51:24
3. Dwight Hibdon (Park City, Utah/Mad Dog Cycles Race Team) 52:06
4. Dan Meyer (Lake Elmo, Minn./Loon State Cyclists) 56:05
5. Thomas Heywood (Wenatchee, Wash.) 59:01
Category 1 Women 60+
1. Martha Iverson (Durango, Colo./Durango Wheel Club) 1:12:47
2. Melinda Berge (Park City, Utah) 1:25:22
Category 1 Men 65-69
1. James Wagner (Auburn, Wash./Cycle Therapy) 54:18
2. Stan Ford (Temecula, Calif.) 55:17
3. Joel Quinn (South Jordan, Utah) 57:22
4. Whitney Fanning (Waco, Texas) 59:52
5. Tomas Pastalka (Belvedere, Calif.) 1:00:27
Category 1 Men 70+
1. Andy Andrews (Hailey, Idaho) 57:46
2. Hans Muehlegger (Sun Valley, Idaho) 57:50
3. Frederic Schmid (Waco, Texas/Bicycles Outback) 1:06:03
4. Ronald Riley (Aptos, Calif./Bike Station Aptos) 1:09:08
5. William Chambers (Park City, Utah) 1:59:11
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